On the 3 December 2009, the New Young Enterprise Team from The Gateway Academy – ‘Gateway Kitchen’ represented themselves and the school at the South East Trade Fayre in The Meadows Shopping Centre, Chelmsford.

The Year 10 Hospitality and Catering class decided to start up a business after the success of their Cheesecake, Apple and Banoffee Pies sales to members of staff. They named their company Gateway Kitchen and designed logos which have been printed onto special uniforms designed by the students themselves and printed by Titanium Workwear. This was funded by kind donation from the school PSA £250 and local company Windsor Waste Management.

Students opened up their own bank account and then had to sell shares to parents, students and members of staff, this capital then allowed them to buy their ingredients in order to sell their products at the trade fair. Hours went into the preparation of the food with students working at school until 6pm on the Wednesday night and then in again at 7am on the Thursday morning. This ensured food was fresh and of the best quality possible to sell to the public.

The company’s motto ‘a smile on your face puts a smile on ours’ was reiterated by minimal packaging which was designed with the students by Mr Couves, Technology assistant - the students felt this was a unique selling point which would appeal to consumers and could also be recycled.
On the day of the fair itself, the school were up against team from six other schools including business and enterprise specialist schools and local private schools. Our students walked tirelessly around The Meadows offering samples to members of the public and received rave reviews. One lady even demanded the students tell her the recipe as she didn’t believe that they had made it themselves. Aaron was able to give her the recipe down to the gram which impressed her no end!!

By the end of the day, the team were the only team to sell out of every product. Having their Food Hygiene Certificates proudly on show, Gateway Kitchen made over £150 in proceeds towards their business and had a fantastic day. Curtis Jenkins and Eanna Baker felt that their confidence had improved talking to members of the public whilst Duncan Enakpoya and Aaron Whipps loved selling. Aaron even persuades the Mayor of Chelmsford to dig deep into his pocket and buy a strawberry cheesecake!!

The team came runners up in the presentation but were an absolute credit to the Academy and to themselves. Some real entrepreneurs in the making. We are now looking forward to the next trade fayre at Easter and planning begins after Christmas.